Clear skies for Virgin spaceliner

[nacnud]

Clear skies for Virgin spaceliner<br /><font color="yellow">By Irene Mona Klotz <br />at Cape Canaveral, Florida <br /><br /><b>Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic has collected $10m in deposits from people wanting a quick ride beyond Earth's atmosphere. </b><br /><br />Another 34,000 would-be astronauts have registered for rides aboard a commercial version of the experimental Ansari X Prize winner SpaceShipOne. The cost to experience four to five minutes of weightlessness is about $200,000 (£113,242). The project was threatened earlier this year by US export control regulations. Last year, SpaceShipOne completed two sub-orbital spaceflights in a week to claim the $10m Ansari X-Prize. Virgin Galactic is paying SpaceShipOne designer Burt Rutan's firm to build a fleet of five vessels for suborbital spaceflights. Test flights are on schedule to begin in 2007, with commercial operations to begin a year later. "At the moment, we don't see any hurdles," said Virgin Galactic president Whitehorn. More<br /><br /><font color="white">Glad to see that things are ticking along nicely, you can’t sniff at $10M already from punters <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /></font></font>

 

[gladiator1332]

What's really impressive is that they've earned $10 million, without a single flight, hell they haven't even revealed "Space Ship Two" to the public. Imagine the response once they fly the first group of passengers, then the money will really start rolling in.<br /><br />The big question is, can they make a profit. Starting up a spaceline isn't what I'd call cheap. They need to prove that this is something one can make money off of, before we see more spacelines like Virgin Galactic.

 

[vt_hokie]

My concern is that SpaceShipOne nearly killed its pilots at least a couple of times, and now they're going to jump to "commercial" flights with SpaceShipTwo. How safe can they make it, and will a fatal catastrophe prove to be fatal to the overall business?

 

[alokmohan]

In a new venture wecannot rule outaccidents.Let it goon.

 

[vt_hokie]

I agree, but I hope that they can manage to make it safe enough that accidents are few and far between.

 

[mattblack]

God, I wish them SO much luck!! This would be the best PR support for manned space exploration ever, and Nasa wouldn't have to spend a dime to benefit indirectly. <br /><br />Ironic, isn't it? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p>One Percent of Federal Funding For Space: America <strong><em><u>CAN</u></em></strong> Afford it!!  LEO is a <strong><em>Prison</em></strong> -- It's time for a <em><strong>JAILBREAK</strong></em>!!</p> </div>

 

[cuddlyrocket]

"The big question is, can they make a profit. Starting up a spaceline isn't what I'd call cheap. They need to prove that this is something one can make money off of, before we see more spacelines like Virgin Galactic."<br /><br />Comparing things with the start of commercial aviation, I don't think this is necessarily true. Very few, if any, of the first airlines managed to make a profit, but they came close enough to convince someone else that with slightly more advanced equipment and a better business plan (and more talented management!), they could do so. (In fact, airlines are not a very profitable business - globally they've produced a net loss over the years (though this ignores the effects of inflation). Certainly a dire return on capital.)<br /><br />What counts more is that the people who make the spaceplanes make money, so they can continue to develop them. (<i>Making</i> passenger aeroplanes has been a highly profitable activity!)

 

[nacnud]

Exactly, that's just what Burt wants to do, make money from making spacecraft. The spaceship company is the real earner in this project not Virgin Galactic.

 

[holmec]

>My concern is that SpaceShipOne nearly killed its pilots at least a couple of times,<<br /><br />Not even close. The only real mishap was one landing where the rear landing gear broke.<br /><br />The spin in the last flight was a minor spin and was not increasing like happened during a Gemini mision. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#0000ff"><em>"SCE to AUX" - John Aaron, curiosity pays off</em></font></p> </div>

 

[holmec]

>How safe can they make it, and will a fatal catastrophe prove to be fatal to the overall business?<<br /><br />A good question. Going from an experimental craft to a public carrying craft obviously requires safety measures. I wonder if that will include a chute for the whole craft.<br /><br />Anyway. If we look at this as an exrteme sport, then a fatality may not harm it that much. I think it depends on how its marketed and what the public opinion is. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#0000ff"><em>"SCE to AUX" - John Aaron, curiosity pays off</em></font></p> </div>

 

[nacnud]

Well the RCS used the same pressurised tank as the feather actuators. If too much gas was used in the RCS the feather could not have been engaged. <br /><br />Perhaps thats why the spin lasted as long as it did.

 

[holmec]

>God, I wish them SO much luck!! This would be the best PR support for manned space exploration ever, and Nasa wouldn't have to spend a dime to benefit indirectly.<<br /><br />Ditto <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#0000ff"><em>"SCE to AUX" - John Aaron, curiosity pays off</em></font></p> </div>

 

[henryhallam]

<font color="yellow"><br /> If we look at this as an exrteme sport, then a fatality may not harm it that much. I think it depends on how its marketed and what the public opinion is.<br /></font><br /><br />Speaking of extreme sports... I wonder if V.G. would consider allowing skydivers in pressure suits to jump out at apogee? Not quite as much fun as MOOSE but a good deal more achievable.

 

[nacnud]

That might require a modified vehicle but if there is enough demand... <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />

 

[tap_sa]

I bet she'd be interested.